John McDonnell has called on “all Labour members and anyone who cares about the future of our country” to oppose Tommy Robinson.

The shadow chancellor is asking backers to join a Momentum demonstration to counter the march planned by the far right activist in London on Sunday 9 December.

Mr McDonnell said Robinson and other far right figures “threaten the very fabric of our nation” and called on supporters to “stand firm against the poison Robinson is trying to inject into our politics”.

The EDL founder is organising a protest just two days before parliament votes on Theresa May's deal.

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, will be speaking under the banner of “Brexit Betrayal”.

Mr McDonnell is warning that Robinson is using Brexit to recruit followers and bolster his credibility.

John McDonnell is encouraging Labour supporters to take a stand (Image: X03696)

McDonnell praised Momentum for “leading the way” in opposing a “newly energised, well funded network of hate”, saying that “the working class of Britain have a proud history of beating the far right” and that “this history must continue”.

He also called on the labour movement to be “front and centre” in opposing the far right.

The march has been organised by Momentum and a coalition of partners including London Young Labour, Labour Against Racism and Fascism and the Stop Trump Coalition.

Thousands march down Cable Street during a rally to mark 80 years since the Battle of Cable Street (Image: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

He said: "In Lewisham in the 1970s the National Front were outnumbered by nearly ten to one.

"At Cable Street, the local Jewish community and socialists from across Britain stood firm against Oswald Mosley’s blackshirts.

"This history must continue. A newly energised, well funded network of hate is emerging, from Steve Bannon in the US to the former EDL leader Tommy Robinson at home, and it threatens the very fabric of our nation.

"The labour movement must be front and centre in opposing them, and I'm glad that Momentum are leading the way," he said.

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"It doesn’t matter whether you voted leave or remain, Tommy Robinson doesn’t represent you. I call on all Labour members and anyone who cares about the future of our country to join the demonstration on 9 December and stand firm against the poison Robinson is trying to inject into our politics.”